Element-connecting board, producing method thereof, and light-emitting diode device

ABSTRACT

An element-connecting board is a lead frame for allowing a light emitting diode element to be connected to one side thereof in a thickness direction. The element-connecting board includes the lead frame which is provided with a plurality of leads disposed with spaces from each other and a first insulating resin portion which is light reflective and fills the spaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2011-261702 filed on Nov. 30, 2011, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an element-connecting board, aproducing method thereof, and a light emitting diode device, to bespecific, to an element-connecting board to which a light emitting diodeelement is connected, a producing method thereof, and a light emittingdiode device.

2. Description of Related Art

A light emitting diode device is provided with a conductive pattern, alight emitting diode element which is electrically connected thereto,and a reflecting wall which is disposed around the light emitting diodeelement. In such a light emitting diode device, an electric power issupplied from the conductive pattern to the light emitting diodeelement, so that the light emitting diode element emits light and a partof the emitted light is reflected at the inner surface of the reflectingwall, and therefore, the luminous efficiency of a light emitting diodeis improved.

For example, an LED display which is provided with a board; anelectrically-conductive layer formed thereon; an LED chip connectedthereon; a covering material formed on the board so as to surround theneighborhood of the LED chip; and a resin mold encapsulating the LEDchip at the inner side of the covering material has been proposed (ref:for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H7-288341).

Also, in recent years, a method in which an optical semiconductorelement is embedded by an encapsulating sheet to encapsulate the opticalsemiconductor element has been proposed (ref: for example, JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-159874).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, there is a disadvantage that in the case where the LED chip ofthe LED display in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H7-288341is encapsulated by the encapsulating sheet in Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. 2011-159874, when the encapsulating sheet is attached tothe LED chip so as to cover the LED chip, air is easily mixed betweenthe encapsulating sheet and the LED chip because the covering materialis disposed around the LED chip, so that the LED chip is not capable ofbeing surely encapsulated.

On the other hand, there is a disadvantage that when the encapsulatingsheet is attached to the board excluding the covering material inJapanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H7-288341 so as to cover theLED chip, the luminous efficiency of the LED display is not capable ofbeing sufficiently improved, while it can be suppressed that air ismixed between the encapsulating sheet and the LED chip.

It is an object of the present invention to provide anelement-connecting board which is capable of surely encapsulating alight emitting diode element connected thereto by an encapsulating sheetand has an excellent light reflectivity, a producing method thereof, anda light emitting diode device which has an excellent luminousefficiency.

An element-connecting board of the present invention includes a leadframe for allowing a light emitting diode element to be connected to oneside thereof in a thickness direction, which is provided with aplurality of leads disposed with spaces from each other, and a firstinsulating resin portion which is light reflective and fills the spaces.

In the element-connecting board of the present invention, it ispreferable that the first insulating resin portion is formed from areflecting resin composition containing an encapsulating resincomposition and a light reflecting component.

In the element-connecting board of the present invention, it ispreferable that a second insulating resin portion which is disposed atthe other surface in the thickness direction and/or the side surface ofthe lead frame is further included.

A light emitting diode device of the present invention includes anelement-connecting board including a lead frame which is provided with aplurality of leads disposed with spaces from each other and a firstinsulating resin portion which is light reflective and fills the spaces,and a light emitting diode element connected to one surface in athickness direction of the lead frame.

In the light emitting diode device of the present invention, it ispreferable that an encapsulating sheet which is formed at one side inthe thickness direction of the element-connecting board and encapsulatesthe light emitting diode element is further included.

A method for producing an element-connecting board of the presentinvention includes the steps of preparing a lead frame provided with aplurality of leads disposed with spaces from each other and a jointconnecting a plurality of the leads, allowing a first insulating resinportion which is light reflective to fill the spaces, and cutting offthe joint.

In the element-connecting board of the present invention obtained by themethod for producing an element-connecting board of the presentinvention, the first insulating resin portion fills the spaces of thelead frame, so that both of one surface in the thickness direction ofthe lead frame and one surface in the thickness direction of the firstinsulating resin portion can be exposed.

Therefore, when the light emitting diode element is connected to oneside in the thickness direction of the lead frame, thereafter, the lightemitting diode element is easily and surely covered with theencapsulating sheet, so that the light emitting diode element can beeasily and surely encapsulated.

The first insulating resin portion has light reflectivity, so that theelement-connecting board of the present invention has an excellent lightreflectivity. Therefore, in the light emitting diode device includingthe element-connecting board of the present invention, light emittedfrom the light emitting diode element can be reflected, so that theluminous efficiency can be improved.

In addition, in the element-connecting board of the present invention,the first insulating resin portion fills the spaces separating aplurality of the leads, so that a plurality of the leads can be surelysupported.

In the light emitting diode device of the present invention, the lightemitting diode element connected to the element-connecting board can beeasily and surely encapsulated by the above-described encapsulatingsheet. Therefore, the reliability of the light emitting diode device canbe easily and surely improved.

In the method for producing an element-connecting board of the presentinvention, the shape of the lead frame in which a plurality of the leadsare connected by the joint is maintained, and the first insulating resinportion surely fills the spaces of the lead frame and a plurality of theleads can be surely supported.

By cutting off the joint, a desired circuit consisting of a plurality ofthe leads can be formed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an element-connecting board of thepresent invention:

(a) illustrating a plan view and

(b) illustrating a front sectional view along the A-A line.

FIG. 2 shows a lead frame with a joint used in a method for producingthe element-connecting board shown in FIG. 1:

(a) illustrating a plan view and

(b) illustrating a front sectional view along the B-B line.

FIG. 3 shows a lead frame with a joint used in a method for producingthe element-connecting board shown in FIG. 1 and having spaces filledwith a first insulating resin portion:

(a) illustrating a plan view and

(b) illustrating a front sectional view along the C-C line.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a light emitting diode device of thepresent invention:

(a) illustrating a plan view and

(b) illustrating a front sectional view along the D-D line.

FIG. 5 shows a front sectional view for illustrating a step of attachingan encapsulating sheet to the element-connecting board.

FIG. 6 shows a front sectional view for illustrating another embodiment(an embodiment in which side surfaces of the lead frame are exposed) ofthe element-connecting board of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a front sectional view for illustrating another embodiment(an embodiment in which second insulating resin portions are formed onthe lower surface of the lead frame) of the element-connecting board ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of an element-connecting board of thepresent invention:

(a) illustrating a plan view and

(b) illustrating a front sectional view along the E-E line.

FIG. 9 shows a lead frame used in a method for producing theelement-connecting board shown in FIG. 8:

(a) illustrating a plan view and

(b) illustrating a front sectional view along the F-F line.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a light emitting diode device of thepresent invention:

(a) illustrating a plan view and

(b) illustrating a front sectional view along the G-G line.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of dividing the element-connecting boardshown in FIG. 8 into two pieces:

(a) illustrating a plan view of the element-connecting board shown by acutting plane line and

(b) illustrating a plan view of the element-connecting board dividedinto two pieces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an element-connecting board of thepresent invention. FIG. 2 shows a lead frame with a joint used in amethod for producing the element-connecting board shown in FIG. 1. FIG.3 shows a lead frame with a joint used in a method for producing theelement-connecting board shown in FIG. 1 and having spaces filled with afirst insulating resin portion.

Regarding an element-connecting board 1, when referred to direction, adirection arrow shown in each of the drawings is defined as a reference.

In FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the element-connecting board 1 is formed intoa generally rectangular flat plate shape in plane view.

The element-connecting board 1 includes a lead frame 4 which is providedwith a plurality of leads 3 disposed with spaces 2 from each other (ref:FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b)) and a first insulating resin portion 5 which islight reflective and fills the spaces 2. Second insulating resinportions 6 are provided on the side surfaces of the element-connectingboard 1.

The lead frame 4 is an electrically-conductive member for allowing lightemitting diode elements 17 (ref: FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b)) to be describedlater to be connected to the upper surface (one surface in the thicknessdirection) thereof.

An example of a material which forms the lead frame 4 includes anelectrically-conductive material such as copper, nickel, gold, and 42alloy.

A plurality of the leads 3 are defined by the spaces 2 extending alongthe front-rear direction (a direction perpendicular to the thicknessdirection, hereinafter the same). That is, a plurality of the leads 3are formed into generally rectangular shapes in plane view extending inthe front-rear direction and are disposed in alignment at spacedintervals to each other in the widthwise direction (the right-leftdirection).

To be specific, a plurality of the leads 3 include a first lead 8 and asecond lead 9 which is adjacent to the first lead 8 in the widthwisedirection.

The first lead 8 is formed into a generally U-shaped shape in plane viewwhich is open toward the rear side. To be specific, the first lead 8integrally includes a plurality (two pieces) of first linear portions 10which are disposed in alignment at spaced intervals to each other in thewidthwise direction and a first connecting portion 11 which connects thefront end portions (one end portions) of the first linear portions 10.

Two pieces of the first linear portions 10 are formed into generallyflat plate shapes extending in parallel in the front-rear direction.

A first linear portion 10B at the right side, when projected in thewidthwise direction, slightly protrudes toward the front side withrespect to a first linear portion 10A at the left side.

In the first linear portion 10A at the left side, first pads 12 whichprotrude from the both end surfaces in the widthwise direction partwayin the front-rear direction thereof toward the both sides in thewidthwise direction are provided. In the first linear portion 10B at theright side, the first pads 12 which protrude from the left end surfacepartway in the front-rear direction thereof toward the left side areprovided.

The first pads 12 are disposed in alignment at spaced intervals to eachother in the front-rear direction. Each of the first pads 12 is formedinto a generally rectangular shape in plane view extending in thewidthwise direction.

The first connecting portion 11 is disposed at the front end portion ofthe element-connecting board 1 and is formed into a generallyrectangular shape in plane view extending in the right-left direction.

The second lead 9 is formed into a point-symmetric shape obtained byrotating 180 degrees around the first lead 8 on the element-connectingboard 1. To be specific, the second lead 9 is formed into a generallyU-shaped shape in plane view which is open toward the front side. Thesecond lead 9 integrally forms a plurality (two pieces) of second linearportions 13 which are disposed in alignment at spaced intervals to eachother in the widthwise direction and a second connecting portion 14which connects the rear end portions (the other end portions) of thesecond linear portions 13.

Two pieces of the second linear portions 13 are formed into generallyflat plate shapes extending in parallel in the front-rear direction. Asecond linear portion 13B at the left side, when projected in thewidthwise direction, slightly protrudes toward the front side withrespect to a second linear portion 13A at the right side. In the secondlinear portion 13A at the right side, second pads 15 which protrude fromthe both end surfaces in the widthwise direction partway in thefront-rear direction thereof toward the both sides in the widthwisedirection are provided. In the second linear portion 13A at the leftside, the second pads 15 which protrude from the right end surfacepartway in the front-rear direction thereof toward the right side areprovided.

The second pads 15 are disposed in alignment at spaced intervals to eachother in the front-rear direction. Each of the second pads 15 is formedinto a generally rectangular shape in plane view extending in thewidthwise direction.

The second connecting portion 14 is disposed at the rear end portion ofthe element-connecting board 1 and is formed into a generallyrectangular shape in plane view extending in the right-left direction.

The first lead 8 and the second lead 9 are disposed in such a way thatthe first linear portions 10 and the second linear portions 13 arespaced in opposed relation to each other in the widthwise direction. Tobe specific, two pieces of the first linear portions 10 and two piecesof the second linear portions 13 are alternately (by turns) arrangedfrom the right side toward the left side. To be more specific, the firstlead 8 and the second lead 9 are disposed so that each of the firstlinear portions 10 and each of the second linear portions 13 arealternately meshed (fitted) with each other with the spaces 2therebetween. In this way, the first pads 12 and the second pads 15 aredisposed in opposed relation to each other with spaces 2 therebetween inthe widthwise direction.

The first linear portion 10A at the left side in the first lead 8 andthe second connecting portion 14 in the second lead 9 are disposed withthe space 2 therebetween in the front-rear direction. The second linearportion 13A at the right side in the second lead 9 and the firstconnecting portion 11 in the first lead 8 are disposed with the space 2therebetween in the front-rear direction.

The size of the lead frame 4 and the spaces 2 are appropriately selectedin accordance with its use and purpose. A thickness T1 of the lead frame4 is, for example, 35 to 2000 μm, or preferably 200 to 1000 μm. A widthL1 of each of the first linear portions 10 and each of the second linearportions 13 is, for example, 300 to 1800 μm, or preferably 800 to 1200μm. A length L2 in the front-rear direction of each of the first pads 12and each of the second pads 15 is, for example, 500 to 3500 μm, orpreferably 1000 to 3000 μm. A width L3 of each of the first pads 12 andeach of the second pads 15 is, for example, 1000 to 5000 μm, orpreferably 3500 to 4500 μm. A gap L4 in the front-rear direction betweenthe first pads 12 and the gap L4 in the front-rear direction between thesecond pads 15 are, for example, 3000 to 9000 μm, or preferably 5000 to7000 μm.

A length L5 in the widthwise direction of the first connecting portion11 and the second connecting portion 14 and the length L7 in thefront-rear direction of the first connecting portion 11 and the secondconnecting portion 14 are, for example, 15000 to 27000 μm, or preferably18000 to 24000 μm.

A width (a length in the widthwise direction) L8 of the space 2 betweenthe first pad 12 and the second pad 15 which are opposed to each otherin the widthwise direction is, for example, 50 to 1000 μm, or preferably100 to 400 μm. A width (a length in the widthwise direction) L9 of thespace 2 between the portion of each of the first linear portions 10between the first pads 12 adjacent to each other in the front-reardirection and the portion of each of the second linear portions 13between the second pads 15 adjacent to each other in the front-reardirection is, for example, 500 to 8000 μm, or preferably 1000 to 4000μm.

The first insulating resin portion 5 is, for example, in view ofobtaining light reflectivity, formed from a reflecting resincomposition.

The reflecting resin composition contains, for example, an encapsulatingresin composition and a light reflecting component.

Examples of the encapsulating resin composition include a silicone resincomposition and an epoxy resin composition.

The silicone resin composition is a condensation and addition reactioncurable type silicone resin composition which can undergo a condensationreaction and an addition reaction (to be specific, a hydrosilylationreaction). To be more specific, the silicone resin composition can bebrought into a semi-cured (B-stage) state by undergoing the condensationreaction by heating and then, be brought into a cured (completely cured)state by undergoing the addition reaction by further heating.

The silicone resin composition contains, for example, a polysiloxanecontaining silanol groups at both ends, an ethylenic silicon compound, asilicon compound containing an epoxy group, an organohydrogensiloxane, acondensation catalyst, and an addition catalyst.

The polysiloxane containing silanol groups at both ends, the ethylenicsilicon compound, and the silicon compound containing an epoxy group arecondensation materials (materials subjected to the condensationreaction) and the ethylenic silicon compound and theorganohydrogensiloxane are addition materials (materials subjected tothe addition reaction).

The polysiloxane containing silanol groups at both ends is anorganosiloxane which contains silanol groups (SiOH groups) at both endsof a molecule and to be specific, is represented by the followinggeneral formula (1).

(where, in general formula (1), R¹ represents a monovalent hydrocarbongroup selected from a saturated hydrocarbon group and an aromatichydrocarbon group. “n” represents an integer of 1 or more.)

In the above-described general formula (1), in the monovalenthydrocarbon group represented by R¹, examples of the saturatedhydrocarbon group include a straight chain or branched chain alkyl grouphaving 1 to 6 carbon atoms (such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, apropyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group, an isobutyl group, apentyl group, and a hexyl group) and a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 6carbon atoms (such as a cyclopentyl group and a cyclohexyl group).

In the above-described general formula (1), in the monovalenthydrocarbon group represented by R¹, an example of the aromatichydrocarbon group includes an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms(such as a phenyl group and a naphthyl group).

In the above-described general formula (1), R¹s may be the same ordifferent from each other. Preferably, R¹s are the same.

As the monovalent hydrocarbon group, preferably, an alkyl group having 1to 6 carbon atoms and an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms areused, or more preferably, in view of transparency, heat resistance, andlight resistance, a methyl group is used.

In the above-described general formula (1), “n” is preferably, in viewof stability and/or handling ability, an integer of 1 to 10,000, or morepreferably an integer of 1 to 1,000.

“n” in the above-described general formula (1) is calculated as anaverage value.

To be specific, examples of the polysiloxane containing silanol groupsat both ends include polydimethylsiloxane containing silanol groups atboth ends, polymethylphenylsiloxane containing silanol groups at bothends, and polydiphenylsiloxane containing silanol groups at both ends.

These polysiloxanes containing silanol groups at both ends can be usedalone or in combination.

Of the polysiloxanes containing silanol groups at both ends, preferably,polydimethylsiloxane containing silanol groups at both ends is used.

A commercially available product can be used as the polysiloxanecontaining silanol groups at both ends. A polysiloxane containingsilanol groups at both ends synthesized in accordance with a knownmethod can be also used.

The number average molecular weight of the polysiloxane containingsilanol groups at both ends is, in view of stability and/or handlingability, for example, 100 to 1,000,000, or preferably 200 to 100,000.The number average molecular weight is calculated by conversion based onstandard polystyrene with a gel permeation chromatography. The numberaverage molecular weight of materials, other than the polysiloxanecontaining silanol groups at both ends, to be described later, is alsocalculated in the same manner as described above.

The content of the silanol group in the polysiloxane containing silanolgroups at both ends is, for example, 0.002 to 25 mmol/g, or preferably0.02 to 25 mmol/g. The content of the silanol group is calculated fromthe integral proportion of the peaks of the silanol group and the methylgroup with a ¹H-NMR.

The mixing ratio of the polysiloxane containing silanol groups at bothends with respect to 100 parts by mass of the condensation material is,for example, 1 to 99.99 parts by mass, preferably 50 to 99.9 parts bymass, or more preferably 80 to 99.5 parts by mass.

The ethylenic silicon compound is a silane compound having both anethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon group and a leaving group in asilanol condensation reaction and to be specific, is represented by thefollowing general formula (2).

General Formula (2):

R²—Si(X¹)₃  (2)

(where, in general formula (2), R² represents a monovalent ethylenicallyunsaturated hydrocarbon group. X¹ represents a halogen atom, an alkoxygroup, a phenoxy group, or an acetoxy group. X¹s may be the same ordifferent from each other.)

In the above-described general formula (2), an example of theethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon group represented by R² includes asubstituted or unsubstituted ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbongroup. Examples thereof include an alkenyl group and a cycloalkenylgroup.

An example of the alkenyl group includes an alkenyl group having 2 to 10carbon atoms such as a vinyl group, an allyl group, a propenyl group, abutenyl group, a pentenyl group, a hexenyl group, a heptenyl group, andan octenyl group.

An example of the cycloalkenyl group includes a cycloalkenyl grouphaving 3 to 10 carbon atoms such as a cyclohexenyl group and anorbornenyl group.

As the ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon group, in view ofreactivity with a hydrosilyl group in the organohydrogensiloxane,preferably, an alkenyl group is used, more preferably, an alkenyl grouphaving 2 to 5 carbon atoms is used, or particularly preferably, a vinylgroup is used.

X¹ in the above-described general formula (2) is a leaving group in thesilanol condensation reaction. SiX¹ group in the above-described generalformula (2) is a reactive functional group in the silanol condensationreaction.

In the above-described general formula (2), examples of a halogen atomrepresented by X¹ include bromine, chlorine, fluorine, and iodine.

In the above-described general formula (2), examples of the alkoxy grouprepresented by X¹ include an alkoxy group containing a straight chain orbranched chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms (such as a methoxygroup, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, an isopropoxy group, a butoxygroup, an isobutoxy group, a pentyloxy group, and a hexyloxy group) andan alkoxy group containing a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms(such as a cyclopentyloxy group and a cyclohexyloxy group).

In the above-described general formula (2), X¹s may be the same ordifferent from each other. Preferably, X¹s are the same.

Of the X¹s in the above-described general formula (2), preferably, analkoxy group is used, or more preferably, a methoxy group is used.

Examples of the ethylenic silicon compound include a trialkoxysilanecontaining an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon group, atrihalogenated silane containing an ethylenically unsaturatedhydrocarbon group, a triphenoxysilane containing an ethylenicallyunsaturated hydrocarbon group, and a triacetoxysilane containing anethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon group.

These ethylenic silicon compounds can be used alone or in combination.

Of the ethylenic silicon compounds, preferably, a trialkoxysilanecontaining an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon group is used.

To be specific, examples of the trialkoxysilane containing anethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon group include vinyltrialkoxysilanesuch as vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, andvinyltripropoxysilane; allyltrialkoxysilane such asallyltrimethoxysilane; propenyltrialkoxysilane such aspropenyltrimethoxysilane; butenyltrialkoxysilane such asbutenyltrimethoxysilane; and cyclohexenyltrialkoxysilane such ascyclohexenyltrimethoxysilane.

Of the trialkoxysilanes containing an ethylenically unsaturatedhydrocarbon group, preferably, vinyltrialkoxysilane is used, or morepreferably, vinyltrimethoxysilane is used.

The mixing ratio of the ethylenic silicon compound with respect to 100parts by mass of the condensation material is, for example, 0.01 to 90parts by mass, preferably 0.01 to 50 parts by mass, or more preferably0.01 to 10 parts by mass.

A commercially available product can be used as the ethylenic siliconcompound. An ethylenic silicon compound synthesized in accordance with aknown method can be also used.

The silicon compound containing an epoxy group is a silane compoundhaving both an epoxy group and a leaving group in the silanolcondensation reaction and to be specific, is represented by thefollowing general formula (3).

General Formula (3):

R³—Si(X²)₃  (3)

(where, in general formula (3), R³ represents a group having an epoxystructure. X² represents a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, a phenoxygroup, or an acetoxy group. X²s may be the same or different from eachother.)

In the above-described general formula (3), examples of the group havingan epoxy structure represented by R³ include an epoxy group, a glycidylether group, and an epoxycycloalkyl group such as an epoxycyclohexylgroup.

Of the groups having an epoxy structure, preferably, a glycidyl ethergroup is used. To be specific, the glycidyl ether group is aglycidoxyalkyl group represented by the following general formula (4).

(where, in general formula (4), R⁴ represents a divalent hydrocarbongroup selected from a saturated hydrocarbon group and an aromatichydrocarbon group.)

In the above-described general formula (4), in the divalent hydrocarbongroup represented by R⁴, examples of the saturated hydrocarbon groupinclude an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms (such as amethylene group, an ethylene group, a propylene group, and a butylenegroup) and a cycloalkylene group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms (such as acyclopentylene group and a cyclohexylene group).

In the above-described general formula (4), in the divalent hydrocarbongroup represented by R⁴, an example of the aromatic hydrocarbon groupincludes an arylene group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms (such as aphenylene group and a naphthylene group).

As the divalent hydrocarbon group, preferably, an alkylene group having1 to 6 carbon atoms is used, or more preferably, a propylene group isused.

To be specific, examples of the glycidyl ether group include aglycidoxymethyl group, a glycidoxyethyl group, a glycidoxypropyl group,a glycidoxycyclohexyl group, and a glycidoxyphenyl group.

Of the glycidyl ether groups, preferably, a glycidoxypropyl group isused.

X² in the above-described general formula (3) is a leaving group in thesilanol condensation reaction. SiX² group in the above-described generalformula (3) is a reactive functional group in the silanol condensationreaction.

In the above-described general formula (3), an example of the halogenatom represented by X² includes the same halogen atom as thatrepresented by X¹ in the above-described general formula (2).

In the above-described general formula (3), an example of the alkoxygroup represented by X² includes the same alkoxy group as thatrepresented by X¹ in the above-described general formula (2).

In the above-described general formula (3), X²s may be the same ordifferent from each other. Preferably, X²s are the same.

As X² in the above-described general formula (3), preferably, an alkoxygroup is used, or more preferably, a methoxy group is used.

Examples of the silicon compound containing an epoxy group include atrialkoxysilane containing an epoxy group, a trihalogenated silanecontaining an epoxy group, a triphenoxysilane containing an epoxy group,and a triacetoxysilane containing an epoxy group.

The silicon compounds containing an epoxy group can be used alone or incombination.

Of the ethylenic silicon compounds, preferably, a trialkoxysilanecontaining an epoxy group is used.

To be specific, examples of the trialkoxysilane containing an epoxygroup include glycidoxyalkyltrimethoxysilane such asglycidoxymethyltrimethoxysilane, (2-glycidoxyethyl)trimethoxysilane, and(3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane; glycidoxyalkyltriethoxysilane suchas (3-glycidoxypropyl)triethoxysilane; glycidoxyalkyltripropoxysilanesuch as (3-glycidoxypropyl)tripropoxysilane; andglycidoxyalkyltriisopropoxysilane such as(3-glycidoxypropyl)triisopropoxysilane.

Of the trialkoxysilanes containing an epoxy group, preferably,glycidoxymethyltrialkoxysilane is used, or more preferably,(3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane is used.

The mixing ratio of the silicon compound containing an epoxy group withrespect to 100 parts by mass of the condensation material is, forexample, 0.01 to 90 parts by mass, preferably 0.01 to 50 parts by mass,or more preferably 0.01 to 1 parts by mass.

A commercially available product can be used as the silicon compoundcontaining an epoxy group. A silicon compound containing an epoxy groupsynthesized in accordance with a known method can be also used.

The molar ratio (SiOH/(SiX¹+SiX²)) of the silanol group (the SiOH group)in the polysiloxane containing silanol groups at both ends to thereactive functional group (the SiX¹ group and the SiX² group) in theethylenic silicon compound and the silicon compound containing an epoxygroup is, for example, 20/1 to 0.2/1, preferably 10/1 to 0.5/1, or morepreferably substantially 1/1.

When the molar ratio exceeds the above-described range, there may be acase where a product in a semi-cured state (a semi-cured product) havingan appropriate toughness is not obtained when the silicone resincomposition is brought into a semi-cured state. On the other hand, whenthe molar ratio is below the above-described range, the mixingproportion of the ethylenic silicon compound and the silicon compoundcontaining an epoxy group is excessively large, so that the heatresistance of the first insulating resin portion 5 may be reduced.

When the molar ratio is within the above-described range (preferably,substantially 1/1), the silanol group (the SiOH group) in thepolysiloxane containing silanol groups at both ends, and the reactivefunctional group (the SiX¹ group) in the ethylenic silicon compound andthe reactive functional group (the SiX² group) in the silicon compoundcontaining an epoxy group can be allowed to undergo the condensationreaction neither too much nor too little.

The molar ratio of the ethylenic silicon compound to the siliconcompound containing an epoxy group is, for example, 10/90 to 99/1,preferably 50/50 to 97/3, or more preferably 80/20 to 95/5.

When the molar ratio is within the above-described range, there is anadvantage that the adhesiveness of a cured product can be improved,while the strength thereof is ensured.

The organohydrogensiloxane is an organosiloxane having, in one molecule,at least two hydrosilyl groups (the SiH groups) without containing anethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon group.

To be specific, an example of the organohydrogensiloxane includes anorganopolysiloxane such as an organopolysiloxane containing hydrogenatoms in its side chain and an organopolysiloxane containing hydrogenatoms at both ends.

The organopolysiloxane containing hydrogen atoms in its side chain is anorganohydrogenpolysiloxane having hydrogen atoms as a side chain whichbranches off from the main chain and is represented by formula (5).

(where, in formula, A to D represent a constituent unit, A and Drepresent an end unit, and B and C represent a repeating unit. R⁵represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group selected from a saturatedhydrocarbon group and an aromatic hydrocarbon group. “b” represents aninteger of 0 or more and “c” represents an integer of 1 or more.)

A to D constitute an organopolysiloxane containing a hydrogen atom inits side chain.

The monovalent hydrocarbon groups represented by R⁵ in formula (5) maybe the same or different from each other. Preferably, the monovalenthydrocarbon groups represented by R⁵ are the same.

In the monovalent hydrocarbon group represented by R⁵, examples of thesaturated hydrocarbon group and the aromatic hydrocarbon group includethe same saturated hydrocarbon group and aromatic hydrocarbon group asthose illustrated by R¹ in the above-described general formula (1). Asthe monovalent hydrocarbon group, preferably, methyl and phenyl areused, or more preferably, methyl is used.

“b” is preferably, in view of reactivity and stability, an integer of 1to 10,000, more preferably an integer of 2 to 5,000, or particularlypreferably an integer of 5 to 100.

“c” is preferably 2 or more, in view of reactivity and stability,preferably an integer of 1 to 10,000, more preferably an integer of 2 to1,000, or particularly preferably an integer of 5 to 100.

Examples of the organopolysiloxane containing hydrogen atoms in its sidechain include methylhydrogenpolysiloxane,dimethylpolysiloxane-co-methylhydrogenpolysiloxane,ethylhydrogenpolysiloxane, andmethylhydrogenpolysiloxane-co-methylphenylpolysiloxane.

The number average molecular weight of the organopolysiloxane containinghydrogen atoms in its side chain is, for example, 100 to 1,000,000.

The organopolysiloxane containing hydrogen atoms at both ends is anorganohydrogenpolysiloxane having hydrogen atoms at both ends of themain chain and is represented by formula (6).

(where, in formula, R⁶ represents a monovalent hydrocarbon groupselected from a saturated hydrocarbon group and an aromatic hydrocarbongroup. “d” represents an integer of 1 or more.)

In the monovalent hydrocarbon group represented by R⁶, examples of thesaturated hydrocarbon group and the aromatic hydrocarbon group includethe same saturated hydrocarbon group and aromatic hydrocarbon group asthose illustrated by R¹ in the above-described general formula (1). Asthe monovalent hydrocarbon group, preferably, methyl and phenyl areused, or more preferably, methyl is used.

“d” is preferably, in view of reactivity and stability, an integer of 1to 10,000, or more preferably an integer of 1 to 5,000.

Examples of the organopolysiloxane containing hydrogen atoms at bothends include polydimethylsiloxane containing hydrosilyl groups at bothends, polymethylphenylsiloxane containing hydrosilyl groups at bothends, and polydiphenylsiloxane containing hydrosilyl groups at bothends.

The number average molecular weight of the organopolysiloxane containinghydrogen atoms at both ends is, for example, in view of stability and/orhandling ability, 100 to 1,000,000, or preferably 100 to 100,000.

These organohydrogensiloxanes can be used alone or in combination.

Of the organohydrogensiloxanes, preferably, an organopolysiloxanecontaining hydrogen atoms in its side chain is used, or more preferably,dimethylpolysiloxane-co-methylhydrogenpolysiloxane is used.

The viscosity of the organohydrogensiloxane at 25° C. is, for example,10 to 100,000 mPa·s, or preferably 20 to 50,000 mPa·s. The viscosity ismeasured using a B-type viscometer.

The content of the hydrosilyl group in the organohydrogensiloxane is,for example, 0.1 to 15 mmol/g, or preferably 0.5 to 10 mmol/g. Thecontent of the hydrosilyl group is calculated from the integralproportion of the peaks of the hydrosilyl group and the methyl groupwith a ¹H-NMR.

A commercially available product can be used as theorganohydrogensiloxane. An organohydrogensiloxane synthesized inaccordance with a known method can be also used.

The mixing ratio of the organohydrogensiloxane with respect to 100 partsby mass of the ethylenic silicon compound is, though depending on themolar ratio of the ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon group (R² inthe above-described general formula (2)) in the ethylenic siliconcompound to the hydrosilyl group (the SiH group) in theorganohydrogensiloxane, for example, 10 to 10,000 parts by mass, orpreferably 100 to 1,000 parts by mass.

The molar ratio (R²/SiH) of the ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbongroup (R² in the above-described general formula (2)) in the ethylenicsilicon compound to the hydrosilyl group (the SiH group) in theorganohydrogensiloxane is, for example, 20/1 to 0.05/1, preferably 20/1to 0.1/1, more preferably 10/1 to 0.1/1, particularly preferably 10/1 to0.2/1, or most preferably 5/1 to 0.2/1. The molar ratio thereof can bealso set to be, for example, less than 1/1 and not less than 0.05/1.

When the molar ratio exceeds 20/1, there may be a case where asemi-cured product having an appropriate toughness is not obtained whenthe silicone resin composition is brought into a semi-cured state. Onthe other hand, when the molar ratio is below 0.05/1, the mixingproportion of the organohydrogensiloxane is excessively large, so thatthe heat resistance and the toughness of the first insulating resinportion 5 may be insufficient.

When the molar ratio is less than 1/1 and not less than 0.05/1, inallowing the silicone resin composition to be in a semi-cured state, thesilicone resin composition can be quickly transferred into a semi-curedstate with respect to the silicone resin composition whose molar ratiois 20/1 to 1/1.

The condensation catalyst is not particularly limited as long as it is asubstance capable of improving the reaction rate of the condensationreaction of the silanol group and the reactive functional group (theSiX¹ group in the above-described general formula (2) and the SiX² groupin the above-described general formula (3)). Examples of thecondensation catalyst include an acid such as hydrochloric acid, aceticacid, formic acid, and sulfuric acid; a base such as potassiumhydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, andtetramethylammonium hydroxide; and a metal such as aluminum, titanium,zinc, and tin.

These condensation catalysts can be used alone or in combination.

Of the condensation catalysts, in view of compatibility and thermaldecomposition characteristics, preferably, a base is used, or morepreferably, tetramethylammonium hydroxide is used.

The mixing ratio of the condensation catalyst with respect to 100 mol ofthe polysiloxane containing silanol groups at both ends is, for example,0.1 to 50 mol, or preferably 0.25 to 5 mol.

The addition catalyst is not particularly limited as long as it is asubstance (a hydrosilylation catalyst) capable of improving the reactionrate of the addition reaction, that is, the hydrosilylation reaction ofthe ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon group and the hydrosilyl group(the SiH group) and a metal catalyst is, for example, used. Examples ofthe metal catalyst include a platinum catalyst such as platinum black,platinum chloride, chloroplatinic acid, a platinum olefin complex, aplatinum carbonyl complex, and platinum acetyl acetate; a palladiumcatalyst; and a rhodium catalyst.

Of the addition catalysts, in view of compatibility and transparency,preferably, a platinum catalyst is used, or more preferably, a platinumolefin complex is used. To be specific, a platinum-divinylsiloxanecomplex such as a platinum-1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxanecomplex is used.

These addition catalysts can be used alone or in combination.

Of the addition catalysts, in view of compatibility, transparency, andcatalyst activity, preferably, a platinum catalyst is used, or morepreferably, a platinum-carbonyl complex is used.

The mixing ratio of the addition catalyst with respect to 100 parts bymass of the organohydrogensiloxane is, as a number of parts by mass ofthe metal amount in the addition catalyst, for example 1.0×10⁻⁴ to 1.0parts by mass, preferably 1.0×10⁻⁴ to 0.5 parts by mass, or morepreferably 1.0×10⁻⁴ to 0.05 parts by mass.

As the above-described condensation catalyst and addition catalyst, acondensation catalyst and an addition catalyst in a solid state can beused as they are. Alternatively, in view of handling ability, acondensation catalyst and an addition catalyst can be used as a solutionor as a dispersion liquid dissolved or dispersed in a solvent.

Examples of the solvent include water; an alcohol such as methanol andethanol; and an aromatic hydrocarbon such as toluene.

A polysiloxane containing silanol groups at both ends, an ethylenicsilicon compound, a silicon compound containing an epoxy group, anorganohydrogensiloxane, a condensation catalyst, and an additioncatalyst are blended to be stirred and mixed, so that the silicone resincomposition is prepared.

In order to prepare the silicone resin composition, for example, theabove-described materials (the condensation materials and the additionmaterials) and the catalysts can be blended simultaneously.Alternatively, each of the materials and each of the catalysts can beblended, respectively, at different timings. Furthermore, a part of thecomponents can be added simultaneously and each of the remainingcomponents can be blended, respectively, at different timings.

Of the preparing methods of the silicone resin composition, preferablythe following method is used. The condensation materials are firstprepared and then, the condensation catalyst is blended into theprepared condensation materials to prepare a mixture. Next, the additionmaterial is blended into the prepared mixture and then, the additioncatalyst is blended thereto.

To be specific, after stirring and mixing the polysiloxane containingsilanol groups at both ends, the ethylenic silicon compound, and thesilicon compound containing an epoxy group (that is, the condensationmaterials) at the above-described proportion, the condensation catalystis blended thereto to be stirred and mixed for, for example, 5 minutesto 24 hours, so that a mixture is prepared.

At the time of blending and stirring, the temperature can be alsoadjusted to be, for example, 0 to 60° C. so as to improve thecompatibility and the handling ability of the condensation materials.

By the above-described mixing, the condensation reaction of the SiOHgroup in the polysiloxane containing silanol groups at both ends, andthe SiX¹ group in the ethylenic silicon compound and the SiX² group inthe silicon compound containing an epoxy group may be partiallyinitiated. The degree of progress of the condensation reaction can bechecked by

¹H-NMR measurement based on the disappearance degree of the peak derivedfrom the SiOH group.

Thereafter, the pressure in the system is reduced as required, so that avolatile component (a solvent and the like) is removed.

Next, the organohydrogensiloxane is blended into the prepared mixture ofthe condensation materials and the condensation catalyst to be stirredfor, for example, 1 to 120 minutes.

At the time of blending and stirring, the temperature can be alsoadjusted to be, for example, 0 to 60° C. so as to improve thecompatibility and the handling ability of the mixture and theorganohydrogensiloxane.

Thereafter, the addition catalyst is blended into the system (theabove-described mixture) to be stirred for, for example, 1 to 60minutes.

In this way, the silicone resin composition is prepared.

The silicone resin composition is, for example, in a liquid state (in anoil state). Although described later, after the preparation thereof, thesilicone resin composition is prepared as an encapsulating resincomposition by blending a light reflecting component and the likethereto. Thereafter, the encapsulating resin composition in a liquidstate or in a semi-solid state fills the spaces 2. Then, theencapsulating resin composition is heated, so that the condensationmaterials are subjected to a condensation reaction to be brought into aB-stage state (a semi-cured state). Thereafter, by further heating, theaddition material is subjected to an addition reaction to be broughtinto a C-stage state (a completely cured state).

The epoxy resin composition is a resin composition which is capable ofthermally curing by heating.

The epoxy resin composition is not particularly limited. Examplesthereof include a thermosetting resin which contains an epoxy resin, acuring agent, and a curing accelerator described in Japanese UnexaminedPatent Publication No. 2011-119393 and an insulating resin layer formingmaterial which contains an epoxy resin and an acid anhydride curingagent described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2011-60819.

The mixing proportion of the epoxy resin, the curing agent, and thecuring accelerator in the thermosetting resin is set in conformity with,for example, the description in Japanese Unexamined Patent PublicationNo. 2011-119393. The mixing proportion of the epoxy resin and the acidanhydride curing agent in the insulating resin layer forming material isset in conformity with, for example, the description in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-60819.

The content ratio of the encapsulating resin compositions with respectto the reflecting resin composition is, for example, 10 to 99.5 mass %,preferably, in view of coloring characteristics and handling ability ofthe reflecting resin composition, 30 to 98.5 mass %, or more preferably40 to 60 mass %.

These encapsulating resin compositions can be used alone or incombination.

As the encapsulating resin composition, preferably, a silicone resincomposition is used.

The light reflecting component is, for example, a white compound. To bespecific, an example of the white compound includes a white pigment.

An example of the white pigment includes a white inorganic pigment.Examples of the white inorganic pigment include an oxide such astitanium oxide, zinc oxide, and zirconium oxide; a carbonate such aswhite lead (lead carbonate) and calcium carbonate; and a clay mineralsuch as kaolin (kaolinite).

As the white inorganic pigment, preferably, an oxide is used, or morepreferably, titanium oxide is used.

The titanium oxide can have characteristics such as a high degree ofwhiteness, a high light reflectivity, excellent hiding characteristics(hiding power), excellent coloring characteristics (coloring power), ahigh dispersibility, an excellent weather resistance, and a highchemical stability.

To be specific, the titanium oxide is TiO₂ (titanium oxide (IV),titanium dioxide).

A crystal structure of the titanium oxide is not particularly limited.Examples of the crystal structure thereof include a rutile type, abrookite type (pyromelane), and an anatase type (octahedrite).Preferably, a rutile type is used.

A crystal system of the titanium oxide is not particularly limited.Examples of the crystal system thereof include a tetragonal system andan orthorhombic system. Preferably, a tetragonal system is used.

When the crystal structure and the crystal system of the titanium oxideare the rutile type and the tetragonal system, respectively, it ispossible to effectively prevent a reduction of the reflectivity withrespect to light (to be specific, visible light, among all, the lightaround the wavelength of 450 nm) even in a case where the firstinsulating resin portion 5 is exposed to a high temperature for a longtime.

The light reflecting component is in the form of a particle. The shapethereof is not limited and examples of the shape thereof include asphere shape, a plate shape, and a needle shape. An average value of themaximum length (in the case of the sphere shape, the average particlesize) of the light reflecting component is in the range of, for example,1 to 1,000 nm, or preferably 100 to 500 nm. The average value of themaximum length is measured by using a laser diffraction scatteringparticle size analyzer.

The content ratio of the light reflecting component with respect to thereflecting resin composition is, for example, 0.5 to 90 mass %,preferably, in view of coloring characteristics and light reflectivity,and handling ability of the reflecting resin composition, 1.5 to 70 mass%, more preferably 10 to 40 mass %, or particularly preferably 25 to 35mass %.

The mixing ratio of the light reflecting component with respect to 100parts by mass of the encapsulating resin composition is, for example, 2to 200 parts by mass, preferably 10 to 90 parts by mass, or morepreferably 25 to 75 parts by mass.

The encapsulating resin composition and the light reflecting componentare blended to be uniformly mixed, so that the reflecting resincomposition is prepared.

In this way, the light reflecting component is uniformly dispersed andmixed into the encapsulating resin composition.

The reflecting resin composition can further contain an inorganicfiller.

Examples of the inorganic filler include silica (silicon dioxide),barium sulfate, barium carbonate, barium titanate, magnesium oxide, ironoxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, layered mica, carbonblack, diatomite, and glass fiber.

These inorganic fillers can be used alone or in combination.

Of the inorganic fillers, preferably silica (silicon dioxide) is used.

The inorganic filler is in the form of a particle. The shape thereof isnot limited and examples of the shape thereof include a sphere shape, aplate shape, and a needle shape. An average value of the maximum length(in the case of the sphere shape, the average particle size) of theinorganic filler is in the range of, for example, 1 to 1,000 nm, orpreferably 100 to 500 nm. The average value of the maximum length ismeasured by using a laser diffraction scattering particle size analyzer.

The average particle size of the inorganic filler is in the range of,for example, 1 to 1,000 μm, or preferably 10 to 100 μm. The averagevalue of the maximum length is measured by using a laser diffractionscattering particle size analyzer.

The content ratio of the inorganic filler with respect to the reflectingresin composition is, for example, 1 to 50 mass %, preferably, 5 to 40mass %, or more preferably 15 to 30 mass %.

When the inorganic filler is blended into the reflecting resincomposition, the total number of parts by mass of the light reflectingcomponent and the inorganic filler with respect to 100 parts by mass ofthe encapsulating resin composition is, for example, 50 to 300 parts bymass, or preferably 100 to 200 parts by mass. Furthermore, the massratio (mass of light reflecting component/(mass of light reflectingcomponent+mass of inorganic filler)) of the light reflecting componentwith respect to the total number of parts by mass of the lightreflecting component and the inorganic filler is, for example, 0.0001 to1, or preferably 0.01 to 1.

The mass ratio (mass of light reflecting component/mass of inorganicfiller) of the light reflecting component with respect to the inorganicfiller is, for example, 0.2 to 3.0, or preferably 0.5 to 2.0. Among all,when the encapsulating resin composition is the epoxy resin composition,the mass ratio (mass of light reflecting component/mass of inorganicfiller) of the light reflecting component with respect to the inorganicfiller is, for example, 0.26 to 3.0.

The above-described inorganic filler is uniformly dispersed and mixedinto the encapsulating resin composition together with the lightreflecting component.

The reflecting resin composition prepared in this way is prepared in aliquid state or in a semi-solid state.

The first insulating resin portion 5 is formed so that all of the uppersurfaces and the lower surfaces of a plurality of the leads 3 areexposed.

To be specific, the first insulating resin portion 5 fills the spaces 2which are defined in the widthwise direction by the first pads 12 andthe second pads 15 that are opposed to each other in the widthwisedirection. The first insulating resin portion 5 also fills the spaces 2which are defined in the widthwise direction by the first linearportions 10 between each of the first pads 12 that are adjacent to eachother in the front-rear direction and by the second linear portions 13between each of the second pads 15 that are adjacent to each other inthe front-rear direction.

On the other hand, the first insulating resin portion 5 does not fillthe space 2 defined by the first connecting portion 11 of the first lead8, and the first pads 12 and the second pads 15 which are disposed inopposed relation to each other at the rear side of the first connectingportion 11. Such a space 2 is defined as an empty space. The firstinsulating resin portion 5 also does not fill the space 2 defined by thesecond connecting portion 14 of the second lead 9, and the first pads 12and the second pads 15 which are disposed in opposed relation to eachother at the front side of the second connecting portion 14. Such aspace 2 is defined as an empty space.

A thickness T2 of the first insulating resin portion 5 is substantiallythe same as the thickness T1 of the lead frame 4.

The second insulating resin portion 6 is formed from, for example, thesame reflecting resin composition as that of the first insulating resinportion 5. The second insulating resin portion 6 can be also formedfrom, for example, an acrylic resin, a polyimide resin, or the like. Inview of reducing the number of steps of the production process,preferably, the second insulating resin portion 6 is formed from thesame reflecting resin composition as that of the first insulating resinportion 5.

The second insulating resin portions 6 are formed into generally flatplate shapes in plane view extending in the front-rear direction. To bespecific, each of the second insulating resin portions 6 is formed alongthe right side surface of the first linear portion 10A at the right sideof the first lead 8 and is also formed along the left side surface ofthe second linear portion 13B at the left side of the second lead 9.

A thickness T3 of each of the second insulating resin portions 6 issubstantially the same as the thickness T1 of the lead frame 4.

In this way, the lead frame 4, the first insulating resin portion 5, andthe second insulating resin portions 6 are formed to be flush with eachother on the upper surfaces and the lower surfaces.

Next, a method for producing the element-connecting board 1 isdescribed.

First, in this method, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), as a leadframe, a lead frame 4′ with a joint in which a plurality of the leads 3are connected by a joint 16 is prepared.

That is, the lead frame 4′ with a joint is integrally provided with theabove-described plurality of the leads 3 and the joint 16 which connecta plurality of the leads 3.

The joint 16 connects the first lead 8 and the second lead 9. To bespecific, the joint 16 connects the rear end portion of each of thefirst linear portions 10 with the second connecting portion 14 and alsoconnects the front end portion of each of the second linear portions 13with the first connecting portion 11.

In the lead frame 4′ with a joint, the above-described spaces 2 areformed.

The lead frame 4′ with a joint is formed into a generally rectangularflat plate shape in plane view. A flat plate (a metal plate) formed ofthe above-described conductive material is subjected to a punchingprocess in which a stamping method is performed using a metal mold thatcorresponds to the spaces 2 or an etching process to form the spaces 2,so that the lead frame 4′ with a joint is prepared.

Next, in this method, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the lightreflective first insulating resin portion 5 fills the spaces 2. At thesame time with this, the second insulating resin portions 6 are formedon the side surfaces of the element-connecting board 1.

When the first insulating resin portion 5 and the second insulatingresin portions 6 are formed from the same reflecting resin composition,for example, the above-described reflecting resin composition fills thespaces 2 by a forming process such as a transfer forming, a compressionforming, a thermal press forming, or a lamination forming to form thefirst insulating resin portion 5 and the reflecting resin composition isapplied to the side surfaces of the lead frame 4 to form the secondinsulating resin portions 6.

In the above-described forming, the reflecting resin composition isheated, so that when the reflecting resin composition contains asilicone resin composition, it is brought into a B-stage state (asemi-cured state).

A structure which is provided with the lead frame 4′ with a joint, thefirst insulating resin portion 5 filling the spaces 2 of the lead frame4′ with a joint, and the second insulating resin portions 6 formed onthe side surfaces of the lead frame 4′ with a joint can be obtained asthe element-connecting board 1 before the joint 16 is cut off.

Thereafter, as shown by cutting plane lines CL1 in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3(b), the joint 16 is cut off.

In order to cut off the joint 16, the joint 16 is removed by, forexample, a punching process or an etching process.

By cutting off the joint 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the leadframe 4 which is provided with the first lead 8 and the second lead 9 isformed. That is, a circuit in which the first lead 8 and the second lead9 are electrically insulated from each other is formed.

In this way, the element-connecting board 1 can be obtained.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a light emitting diode device of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 shows a front sectional view for illustrating a step of attachingan encapsulating sheet to the element-connecting board.

In FIG. 4 (a), an encapsulating sheet 19 is omitted so as to clearlyshow the relative arrangement of the lead frame 4 and the light emittingdiode elements 17.

The light emitting diode elements 17 are connected to theelement-connecting board 1.

Next, a light emitting diode device 18 in which the light emitting diodeelements 17 are connected to the element-connecting board 1 isdescribed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the light emitting diode device 18includes the element-connecting board 1, the light emitting diodeelements 17 connected to the upper surface (one surface in the thicknessdirection) of the element-connecting board 1, and the encapsulatingsheet 19 (ref: FIG. 4 (b)) encapsulating the light emitting diodeelements 17.

A plurality of the light emitting diode elements 17 are provided and tobe specific, are mounted on the upper surfaces (one surface in thethickness direction) of the second pads 15 of the second lead 9. To bemore specific, the lower surfaces of the light emitting diode elements17 are adhered to the upper surfaces of the second pads 15 via anelectrically-conductive adhesive layer which is not shown. That is, thelower surfaces of the light emitting diode elements 17 are electricallyconnected to the upper surface of the second lead 9.

On the other hand, the light emitting diode elements 17 are electricallyconnected to the upper surfaces of the first pads 12 of the first lead 8via wires 22 connected to the upper surfaces of the light emitting diodeelements 17. That is, the upper surfaces of the light emitting diodeelements 17 are electrically connected to the first pads 12 which aredisposed in opposed relation to the second pads 15 in the widthwisedirection on which the light emitting diode elements 17 are mounted.That is, the upper surfaces of the light emitting diode elements 17 areelectrically connected to the upper surface of the first lead 8.

The encapsulating sheet 19 is formed into a generally rectangular shapein plane view and is formed on (at one side in the thickness directionof) the element-connecting board 1. An example of the encapsulatingsheet 19 includes an encapsulating sheet described in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-159874.

In order to produce the light emitting diode device 18, theelement-connecting board 1 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) is prepared.Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the light emitting diodeelements 17 are connected to a plurality of the leads 3. Thereafter, asshown in FIG. 5, the encapsulating sheet 19 is disposed at the upperside of the light emitting diode elements 17 and the wires 22 so as tobe overlapped with at least the light emitting diode elements 17 and thewires 22 when projected in the thickness direction. Subsequently, asshown by arrows in FIG. 5, the encapsulating sheet 19 is attached to theelement-connecting board 1 so as to embed the light emitting diodeelements 17 and the wires 22 to be thereafter heated. By this heating,when the first insulating resin portion 5 and the second insulatingresin portions 6 are prepared from the reflecting resin composition (theencapsulating resin composition), the first insulating resin portion 5and the second insulating resin portions 6 are brought into a C-stagestate (a completely cured state).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), each of the first lead 8 and thesecond lead 9 is connected to a power source 21 via power distributionlines 20.

In this way, the light emitting diode device 18 is obtained.

In the element-connecting board 1 obtained by the above-describedmethod, the first insulating resin portion 5 fills the spaces 2 of thelead frame 4, so that both of the upper surface of the lead frame 4 andthe upper surface of the first insulating resin portion 5 can beexposed.

Therefore, when the light emitting diode elements 17 are connected tothe upper side of the lead frame 4, thereafter, the light emitting diodeelements 17 are easily and surely covered with the encapsulating sheet19, so that the light emitting diode elements 17 can be easily andsurely encapsulated.

The first insulating resin portion 5 has light reflectivity, so that theelement-connecting board 1 has an excellent light reflectivity.Therefore, in the light emitting diode device 18 including theelement-connecting board 1, light emitted from the light emitting diodeelements 17 can be reflected, so that the luminous efficiency can beimproved.

In addition, in the element-connecting board 1, the first insulatingresin portion 5 fills the spaces 2 separating a plurality of the leads3, so that a plurality of the leads 3 can be surely supported to bereinforced.

Furthermore, the side surfaces of the lead frame 4 can be laterallysupported to be reinforced by the second insulating resin portions 6.

In the light emitting diode device 18, the light emitting diode elements17 connected to the element-connecting board 1 can be easily and surelyencapsulated by the above-described encapsulating sheet 19. Therefore,the reliability of the light emitting diode device 18 can be easily andsurely improved.

In the above-described method, the shape of the lead frame 4′ with ajoint in which a plurality of the leads 3 are connected by the joint 16is maintained, and the first insulating resin portion 5 surely fills thespaces 2 of the lead frame 4′ with a joint and a plurality of the leads3 can be surely supported.

By cutting off the joint 16, a desired circuit consisting of a pluralityof the leads 3 can be formed.

FIG. 6 shows a front sectional view for illustrating another embodiment(an embodiment in which side surfaces of the lead frame are exposed) ofthe element-connecting board of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows afront sectional view for illustrating another embodiment (an embodimentin which second insulating resin portions are formed on the lowersurface of the lead frame) of the element-connecting board of thepresent invention. FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of anelement-connecting board of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a leadframe used in a method for producing the element-connecting board shownin FIG. 8. FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a light emitting diodedevice of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of dividingthe element-connecting board shown in FIG. 8 into two pieces.

In each figure to be described below, the same reference numerals areprovided for member corresponding to each of those described above, andtheir detailed description is omitted.

In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the second insulating resin portions 6 areformed on the side surfaces of the lead frame 4. Alternatively, forexample, as shown in FIG. 6, the second insulating resin portions 6 arenot formed on the side surfaces of the lead frame 4 and the sidesurfaces of the lead frame 4 can be exposed.

In FIG. 6, the right side surface of the first linear portion 10B at theright side of the first lead 8 and the left side surface of the secondlinear portion 13B at the left side of the second lead 9 are exposed.

In the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 6, the lower surface (the othersurface in the thickness direction) of the lead frame 4 is exposed.Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower surface of thelead frame 4 can be covered with the second insulating resin portions 6.

In FIG. 7, the second insulating resin portions 6 are provided on theportions of the lower surface of the lead frame 4 in addition to theside surfaces thereof. That is, the second insulating resin portions 6are provided on the lower surface of the lead frame 4 at the both endportions in the widthwise direction.

To be specific, each of the second insulating resin portions 6 providedon the lower surface of the lead frame 4 is continuously formed on thelower surface of the first linear portion 10B at the right side, thelower surface of the second linear portion 13A at the right side, andthe lower surface of the second insulating resin portion 6 which fillsthe space 2 between the first linear portion 10B at the right side andthe second linear portion 13A at the right side. Also, each of thesecond insulating resin portions 6 provided on the lower surface of thelead frame 4 is continuously formed on the lower surface of the secondlinear portion 13B at the left side, the lower surface of the firstlinear portion 10A at the left side, and the lower surface of the secondinsulating resin portion 6 which fills the space 2 between the secondlinear portion 13B at the left side and the first linear portion 10A atthe left side.

A thickness T4 of each of the second insulating resin portions 6provided on the lower surface of the lead frame 4 is, for example, 50 to2000 μm, or preferably 100 to 300 μm.

The embodiment in FIG. 7 can achieve the same function and effect asthat of the embodiment in FIG. 1. In addition, by each of the secondinsulating resin portions 6 provided on the lower surface of the leadframe 4, the lead frame 4 can be supported from below to be reinforced.

In the embodiments in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), each of the first lead 8and the second lead 9 is provided with the first pads 12 and the secondpads 15. Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b),the first lead 8 and the second lead 9 can be formed without providingthe first pads 12 and the second pads 15.

In FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the element-connecting board 1 includes thelead frame 4 which is provided with a plurality of the leads 3, thefirst insulating resin portion 5 which is light reflective and fills thespaces 2, and the second insulating resin portions 6 which are formed onthe side surfaces of the lead frame 4.

A plurality of the leads 3 include the first lead 8 disposed at thecenter in the widthwise direction and the second leads 9 each of whichis disposed in opposed relation to the first lead 8 with the spaces 2therebetween at the both outer sides in the widthwise direction of thefirst lead 8.

The first lead 8 is formed into a generally wide rectangular shape inplane view extending in the front-rear direction.

Each of the second leads 9 is narrower than the first lead 8 and isformed into a generally rectangular shape in plane view extending longin the front-rear direction.

The first insulating resin portion 5 fills the spaces 2 which are formedbetween the first lead 8 and each of the second leads 9.

The second insulating resin portions 6 are formed at the outer sidesurfaces in the widthwise direction of each of the second leads 9.

In order to obtain the element-connecting board 1 in FIG. 8, forexample, first, the lead frame 4 shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) isprepared. In the lead frame 4, each of the both end portions in thefront-rear direction of the first lead 8 is connected to each of theboth end portions in the front-rear direction of each of the secondleads 9 by a joint which is not shown. The resulting lead frame 4 isdefined as the lead frame 4′ with a joint.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the first insulating resinportion 5 and the second insulating resin portions 6 are formed from thereflecting resin composition.

In this way, the element-connecting board 1 is obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the light emitting diode elements17 are connected to the element-connecting board 1 to constitute thelight emitting diode device 18.

In the light emitting diode device 18, the light emitting diode elements17 are provided at the both end portions in the widthwise direction ofthe first lead 8 and are disposed at spaced intervals to each otheralong the front-rear direction of the first lead 8.

The light emitting diode elements 17 are adhered to the upper surface ofthe first lead 8 via an electrically-conductive adhesive layer which isnot shown. In this way, the light emitting diode elements 17 areelectrically connected to the upper surface of the first lead 8.

On the other hand, the light emitting diode elements 17 are electricallyconnected to the upper surfaces of the second leads 9 via the wires 22connected to the upper surfaces of the light emitting diode elements 17.That is, the upper surfaces of the light emitting diode elements 17 areelectrically connected to the upper surfaces of the second leads 9.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) can achieve the samefunction and effect as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Inaddition, each of the light emitting diode elements 17 and the wires 22can be also connected to the upper surfaces of the first lead 8 and thesecond leads 9. Therefore, in the light emitting diode device 18, thelead frame 4 includes the first lead 8 and the second leads 9 in theabove-described shapes, so that a simple structure can be achieved.

The size of the element-connecting board 1 in FIG. 8 can beappropriately selected. As shown in FIG. 11, for example, theelement-connecting boards 1 can be also divided into a plurality ofpieces (two pieces) so as to be divided in the front-rear direction by acutting plane line CL2 shown by a dashed line in FIG. 11 (a) by acutting process such as a dicing method.

While the illustrative embodiments of the present invention are providedin the above description, such is for illustrative purpose only and itis not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.Modification and variation of the present invention that will be obviousto those skilled in the art is to be covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An element-connecting board comprising: a leadframe for allowing a light emitting diode element to be connected to oneside thereof in a thickness direction, which is provided with aplurality of leads disposed with spaces from each other, and a firstinsulating resin portion which is light reflective and fills the spaces.2. The element-connecting board according to claim 1, wherein the firstinsulating resin portion is formed from a reflecting resin compositioncontaining an encapsulating resin composition and a light reflectingcomponent.
 3. The element-connecting board according to claim 1, whereina second insulating resin portion which is disposed at the other surfacein the thickness direction and/or the side surface of the lead frame isfurther included.
 4. A light emitting diode device comprising: anelement-connecting board including a lead frame which is provided with aplurality of leads disposed with spaces from each other and a firstinsulating resin portion which is light reflective and fills the spaces,and a light emitting diode element connected to one surface in athickness direction of the lead frame.
 5. The light emitting diodedevice according to claim 4, wherein an encapsulating sheet which isformed at one side in the thickness direction of the element-connectingboard and encapsulates the light emitting diode element is furtherincluded.
 6. A method for producing an element-connecting boardcomprising the steps of: preparing a lead frame provided with aplurality of leads disposed with spaces from each other and a jointconnecting a plurality of the leads, allowing a first insulating resinportion which is light reflective to fill the spaces, and cutting offthe joint.